In a rain-soaked clash at DRV PNK Stadium, the return of Lionel Messi to the pitch for Inter Miami was overshadowed by the team's heartbreaking defeat, dashing their hopes of a playoff run. The night witnessed moments of brilliance, frustration, and a touch of controversy that kept fans at the edge of their seats.
The DRV PNK Stadium erupted with enthusiasm in the second half as Lionel Messi stepped onto the pitch, marking his comeback to competitive after several absence from the squad due to injury. However, the roaring crowd's excitement would soon turn to despair as Inter Miami faced an uphill battle in the MLS playoff race.
Inter Miami dominated the first half, controlling possession and relentlessly pressing forward. Despite their dominance, they couldn't break through FC Cincinnati's resolute defense. Remarkably, Inter Miami struck the woodwork three times in the opening half-hour and four times throughout the match, leaving fans bewildered and disappointed.
Alvaro Barreal dealt the final blow to Inter Miami's playoff aspirations with a 78th-minute goal. The defeat, combined with CF Montreal's convincing 4-1 victory over Portland, officially eliminated Inter Miami from postseason contention.
In the dying minutes of the match, Lionel Messi drew a crucial foul just outside the penalty area. His subsequent free-kick attempt nearly found the top-left corner of the net, only to clip the crossbar. Inter Miami's goalkeeper, Drake Callender, made a sensational save, but his parry fell directly into the path of Alvaro Barreal, who coolly buried the follow-up shot into the far corner, sealing Inter Miami's fate.
The match ended 0:1 in favor of FC Cincinnati who will face Antlanta United in the upcoming match on Sunday.
On other hand, after their October 21st match, Inter Miami won’t play another MLS game until late February
Since Leo Messi's debut, Inter Miami only won one of the six games he missed and only lost one of the 13 he's played in.
While on the field, Inter Miami faced an off-field challenge as well. Supporters had planned a protest against the increased prices of season tickets for the 2024 season. However, it seems that the club's management met with the fans and resolved the issue before the match began, preventing any disruptions and ensuring that the focus remained on the game.